After each of the following sentences, a list of possible interpretations of the sentence is given. Choose the interpretation that you consider most appropriate for each sentence.

The students stuck to their guns even after the principal had appealed to them to go back to their classes. This means that the students

A. went back willingly

B. refused to go back

C. went back reluctantly

D. attacked the school authorities

The sudden death of his friend made Etim have his heart in his boots. This means that Etim

A. became greatly discouraged

B. was a good footballer

C. was very excited

D. took the matter very seriously

The last promotion exercise was the bone of contention between the two friends. This means that the last promotion exercise

A. was the cause of their dispute

B. forced them to reason together

C. made them to become enemies

D. united them in their fight against their common enemy

When Ibrahim was asked to state his case, he started to beat about the bush. This means that Ibrahim

A. started clearing the bush

B. failed to go straight to the point

C. went to the bush

D. stated his case very clearly

Halima decided to make 'a' clean breast of everything. This means that Halima

A. said that her breast was clean

B. remained firm in her earlier assertion

C. denied any knowledge of the matter

D. told the whole truth

By embarking on that journey, he intends to kill two birds with one stone. This means that he

A. promises to bring his children two birds

B. engages in double dealing

C. intends to achieve two aims at once

D. attends to two people at the same time

Ajala earns a fat salary but cannot make both ends meet. This means that Ajala

A. keeps two lucrative jobs

B. does not live within his income

C. lives very comfortably

D. quarrels very often with his wife

From the words lettered A to E below each of the following sentences, choose the word or group of words that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word or phrase as it is used in the sentence.

Though corruption is very prevalent in the society, there are still some virtuous men around

A. intelligent

B. clever

C. devious

D. loquacious

E. upright

Chinua Achebe is a renowned novelist

A. womderful

B. famous

C. trustworthy

D. fascinating

E. witty

He was kept in solitary confinement

A. quite

B. inimical

C. harsh

D. lonely

E. idel